SFPD investigating suspicious death in Castro

San Francisco police were investigating what they are terming a "suspicious" death of a man in the Castro district early Friday morning, across the street from the gay nightclub Badlands.

[Updated: 9:40 a.m.]: San Francisco Police Department spokesman Officer Robert Rueca said that police responded to 18th and Castro streets Friday, June 29, at approximately 12:52 a.m.

"Police responded to 18th and Castro streets for a person down on the ground," he wrote in an email. "Police who arrived on scene found the adult male unresponsive. Units immediately rendered aid and medics arrived on scene. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. "

The cause of death is unknown, he wrote, adding that the medical examiner's office is also investigating.

"This is an open and ongoing investigation," he said. [end of update.]

Around 5:15 a.m. KTVU Fox 2 reported still seeing a police presence near 18th and Castro streets, including homicide detectives. The San Francisco Police Department has not yet released any information on the incident.

According to KTVU, police are calling the death suspicious. Officers responded to a call of a possible fight or robbery in progress near Badlands, though the time of this call is unknown.

Paramedics were reportedly working on the victim for more than an hour. The body was eventually taken to the medical examiner's office. Witnesses told KTVU that they saw police at the scene as early as 1 a.m.

Investigators were focusing on an alley/parking lot area across the street from Badlands, 4121 18th Street.

The Bay Area Reporter will update this story when we have additional information.